EJ Manuel’s impressive predraft workout in poor weather was a significant factor in the Buffalo Bills’ decision to draft him in the first round last week.

In an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio, Bills coach Doug Marrone said Manuel impressed Bills executives with his performance in heavy wind and rain at a private workout in Tallahassee, Fla.

EJ Manuel's big frame, big hands and big arm led Bills coaches and executives to believe he could be effective in bad weather. (AP Photo)

Marrone said overcoming bad weather “was one of the things as far as criteria for playing up here.”

The workout convinced the Bills that Manuel could be effective at Ralph Wilson Stadium, known for its cold and windy conditions in the second half of the season.

"We started talking about the quarterbacks, and we went back and researched all the teams that played in the Northeast in the bad weather and all the success they had with quarterbacks and the common traits that they had," Marrone told Sirius XM. "They were big and had big hands and were able to throw the ball in tough weather, and that's what we were looking at."

Manuel (6-4, 237), drafted 16th overall by the Bills, had one of the strongest arms in the draft. He also had the largest hands (10 3/8 inches) and longest arms (35 inches) among the quarterbacks at the Scouting Combine